Seaboard Air Line and Seaboard Coast Line Phase II RS-3s

 

Prototype Photos courtesy of Warren Calloway

Bowser Manufacturing has finally announced what could be the BEST announcement of 2023 for a Seaboard Coast Line Modeler such as myself. The recently tooled Alco RS-3 in both Phase II and Phase III have long been on my list of must have locomotives since they were well entrenched in the North and South Florida Divisions of the Seaboard Air Line which served the Port of Boca Grande. 

Seaboard Air Line assigned many of the Alco road switchers to the North and South Florida Divisions. Phase I RS-3s were typically found while parked or shoving phosphate cars onto the docks, but these new units will definitely augment my roster of Alcos. The Alco RS-2 was also a key motive power unit in the area along with several other B-B equipped road switchers from EMD and GE in later years.

Bowser has announced two unit numbers in Seaboard Air Line as SAL 1676 which was constructed by Alco in October 1952 on Order Number S3212. The unit was initially constructed with a steam generator for use on secondary and local passenger trains, however, the equipment was removed in the 1950s and the water tanks were converted to fuel storage. The locomotive was numbered as SCL 1189 in 1967 and ultimately retired in January 1974.

Prototype Photos courtesy of Warren Calloway

The second Seaboard Air Line Phase II RS-3 to be released is SAL 1681 which was constructed on the same order in October 1952. This unit was not steam generator equipped and was renumbered as SCL 1194 in 1967 and ultimately retired in January 1972.

The use of "Split Image" paint is referred to by SCL modelers when the original railroad paint scheme was left in place and shop forces applied new Seaboard Coast Line lettering to the original paint scheme. It was typical to see these units through the 1970s in this appearance, and makes for a unique change to the typical SCL Black and Yellow "Bumblebee" paint scheme.

Bowser also announced two split image Alco Phase II RS-3s as SCL 1191. This unit is former SAL 1678 and was constructed in October 1952 on the previously mentioned order, S3212. The unit was previously equipped with a steam generator which was removed in May 1970. The locomotive was retired on November 22, 1974.

The second SCL number is SCL 1196 which was constructed on the same order in October 1952 without steam generation equipment. It was retired on November 15, 1974 when it was converted into a MATE (Motor Assisted Tractive Effort) unit 3404 on April 1, 1975. The MATE variant would survive until January 4, 1982 when it was stricken from the SCL roster. Most typically, the Alco MATEs were coupled to former ACL GP35s for use in yard and transfer runs.

The Bowser announcement at the Amherst show details these will be ready to run with separately applied details and equipped with ESU Loksound decoders which feature the most realistic Alco 244 prime mover sound files to date. None of the SAL constructed RS-3s utilized dynamic braking. No price or date has been revealed, however, you can rest assured all four will find a home at the Boca Grande Terminal.

Prototype Rails 2023

 

Recently, I returned to Prototype Rails in Cocoa Beach this past weekend and enjoyed meeting with several good friends. The model displays were great opportunity to see hundreds of excellent models. Whether you are a SAL, ACL, New Haven, PRR, Penn Central, or UP modeler, the meet allows you to see some excellent craftsmanship on hand. I hadn't seen several of my fellow modelers in years, one in a decade, but I can tell without a doubt, meeting with like minded modelers, will definitely rekindle any interests, and strengthen lines of communication concerning a variety of projects.

The meet was also an opportunity to grab some much needed material from the ACL & SAL Historical Society, Bob's Photo, Cannon and Company, and from private sellers who had several kits of interest for for future publication. The friendships made through the years have certainly cemented a desire in me to continue prototype modeling, and it was evident as I searched the collection of my late friend, Bill Welch, who had several kits I will use. 

I also met with multiple manufacturers such as Cannon and Company, ScaleTrains, and Class One Model Works who displayed some amazing pre-production models. It was a great time to bend their ears about how several of their wares were appropriate for my favorite railroads, Seaboard Air Line, Atlantic Coast Line, and Seaboard Coast Line. Rest assured ideas were shared and I will continue to assist the ideas along as more information is gathered and shared.

As I raced home Saturday night, I envisioned which ACL and SCL Phosphate boxcars I would be constructing, and how I was going to use several prototype photos on hand to produce the most accurate model possible, and then use those projects to fill the pages of another issue of the Seaboard-Coast Line Modeler. As a shameless plug, here is the latest issue which can be downloaded for free from the ACL & SAL Historical Society's website located at https://www.aclsal.org/publications .

In my downtime, I would often head to Bob's Photo collection and browse endlessly through thousands of photos which suited my interests. I purchased enough photos to complete an endless train of FGE, SCL, SAL, and ACL subjects of interest. 

As I collected my thoughts Sunday, I sadly learned Mike Brock, one of the founders of the meet, passed away. I knew Mike well enough through presenting at previous meets, to know he was a gentlemen, a man of many hats, genuine, and his desire to promote the RPM movement was at the forefront of his effort. This year's meet was significant for me as it emboldened friendships and made for the realization that these finite days we are given on the big round rock need to be utilized for the best. Time spent recreating these models is not as enjoyable without the fellowship of friends.

SFRP 2106 RR-56 Progress Report

 

Progress is being made towards completion of SFRP 2106, but it has not been without some difficulties. The lack of Scalecoat II Reefer Orange really had me digging deep for possible paints to use. I unearthed several old bottles of Floquil Military colors such as Orange and Bright Orange, Modelflex SP Daylight Orange, and finally I decided to go with Tamiya Acrylic gloss colors. While not a Santa Fe modeler, I experimented with several shades that looked appropriate for the mechanicals and decided to custom mix my own using their gloss line of colors. I prefer to use Scalecoat II paint as it is easily decaled and is one of the easiest to use paints on the market, but having used Tamiya Acrylics in the past with success, I chose this route for the sake of not having to apply additional clear coats which is where I tend to see the most difficulties with inclusions and humidity.

In 1963, Santa Fe modified their paint scheme to a darker shade of orange. Using the prototype image I had on hand, and knowing that my final color will become muted once a final coat of Scalecoat II flat glaze is applied, I drifted the color to capture a darker hue. The mixing ratio was 15:1:1 of Tamiya X-8 (Lemon Yellow), Tamiya X-6 (Orange), Tamiya X-7 (Red). The color looks really good for Illinois Central and ICG Orange as well.

The ratio was mixed in a 2:1 paint to thinner (Tamiya Lacquer Thinner was used in place of Tamiya Acrylic Thinner) ratio and applied at approximately 1" to 2" from the surface. The model was primed using Tamiya Fine Surface Primer prior to airbrushing the paint mixture at 13 PSI. There are still areas which need to be touched up due to detail obstructions overlaying the model, but these are largely hidden and will be addressed.

One note of interest was I initially used my Paasche Talon with a .68 tip, and found that while excellent for detail painting, it struggled at the lower PSI to give me a good base coat. This resulted in some tiger striping along the panel lines, so I brought in my old reliable Paasche H and eliminated the issue with a broader spray pattern. 

Here are some overall images of the model as it sits awaiting one last round with my airbrush. There is still masking to be done as well to include the sill edges which will be painted black, and the roof will receive a coat of Model Master steel to more accurately reflected the sun beaten prototype's appearance. 

While airbrushing, I also removed the door rods and tracks and gave those a good coat which were unaffected by the thinner spray pattern of the Talon.

The door rods will need some additional detail painting to follow the prototype's appearance as they were painted to match the door on the prototype image I am using. The doors were far easier to address, which included sanding them thinner to remove the extra thickness, and a good primer coat. Once dry, I airbrushed the doors using Scalecoat II Santa Fe blue and allowed those to fully cure.

I was anticipating the Tamiya paint to leave a glossy finish such as that found on the doors, but it is inherently different paint than Scalecoat II which I have been using since the demise of Floquil. If I choose to go with another paint, it will be a mix of Scalecoat II Reefer Orange if I can locate a bottle, but with the upheaval at MinuteMan Scale Models, there is not much selection or choice other than hunting down old stock.

Lastly, the underframe components have not been modified as I am awaiting a copy John Moore's Mechanical Refrigerator Cars of the Santa Fe to arrive for closer inspection of the details.

The model has received an improved Kadee Champion brake wheel as one of the detail upgrades, and I plan to use Moloco 70 ton ASF roller bearing trucks until the release of the better trucks under development by Plate C Model Prototypes. The decals will be a mixture of those found on Microscale's 87-255 and 87-510. Overall, the Rapido model has excellent attributes, but could stand some finer details such as the brake wheel and trucks.